Politics May 26 Republican 2024 hopeful Ron DeSantis is ‘blazing a trail’ on school book bans By Andrew DeMillo, Anthony Izaguirre, Nicholas Riccardi, Associated Press
Education May 24 Amanda Gorman’s inauguration poem banned by Florida school “The Hill We Climb” was challenged by the parent of two students at Bob Graham Education Center in Miami Lakes. It was not immediately clear why the parent objected to Gorman's poem. By Freida Frisaro, Associated Press
Politics May 24 GOP lawmakers pass new standards to ban books from Texas schools Critics say the standards set in the Texas bill are too vague, will snag books that are not inappropriate, and that materials dealing with LGBTQ+ subject matter are more likely to be targeted for bans. By Associated Press
Nation May 18 Why youth activists in Louisiana say they’ll ‘no longer stay quiet’ As Republican state lawmakers in Louisiana have pushed a barrage of bills targeting LGBTQ+ rights, a new wave of youth activism has been awakened. By Roby Chavez
Education Apr 28 Watch 7:51 Judy Blume describes latest wave of book bans and censorship as ‘disgusting’ and ‘fascist’ The new film “Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret,” is shining a spotlight on Judy Blume, author of the original novel. Many of her books deal with issues of sexuality and adolescence rarely found elsewhere when Blume was writing. By Jeffrey Brown, Anne Azzi Davenport
Apr 24 Watch 6:47 The top library books people tried to ban or censor last year By Jeffrey Brown, Kyle Midura Battles have erupted at schools, school boards and library meetings across the country as parents, lawmakers and advocacy groups are debating books. The American Library Association documented more than 1,200 demands to censor books and resources last year, the highest… Continue watching
Apr 24 Book ban attempts soared in 2022. Here are the 13 most targeted titles By Joshua Barajas A graphic novel that explores gender identity and sexuality has topped the list of the most challenged books in the U.S. for the second year in a row. Continue reading
Apr 22 Alabama governor ousts education director over book’s stance on racism, inclusion By Kim Chandler, Associated Press Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey on Friday announced she replaced her director of early childhood education over the use of a teacher training book that the Republican governor denounced as teaching “woke concepts" because of language about inclusion and structural racism. Continue reading
Apr 13 Missouri House Republicans want to defund libraries. Here’s why By Gabrielle Hays The proposal is not yet final; it must clear the state Senate. But for those who manage or use the state’s 160 library districts, especially in rural areas where services are not as robust, the threat feels real, librarians and… Continue reading
Mar 24 House Republicans pass ‘parents’ rights’ bill in fight over schools By Stephen Groves, Associated Press House Republicans have passed legislation to press a midterm campaign promise to give parents greater say in what is taught in public schools. Critics say it is a burdensome proposal that would fuel a far-right movement that has resulted in… Continue reading